Blind Citizens Australia
National Convention Program

“Looking Forward Looking Back”
Celebrating 40 Years of Achievement
Saturday 10 October – Sunday 11 October 2015

Mercure Perth Hotel
10 Irwin Street, Perth WA 6000
Phone: 08 9326 7000

Hosted by
Greg Madson
President: Blind Citizens Australia

Master of Ceremonies
Ryan Honschooten

All Convention Sessions are in the Caroline Room (1st Floor) unless otherwise indicated

Follow the Blind Citizens Australia
National Convention 2015 on Twitter at #BCACONV
Convention 2015 is proudly sponsored by:

Major Sponsor:  

Supporting Sponsor: 

.

Sponsor of Audio Services:  

We thank the following organisations for their support: 
•	Blind Citizens WA 
•	Humanware Australia 
•	Information Alternatives 
•	Mercure Perth Hotel 
•	Quantum Reading Learning Vision 

Associated Events
Welcome Event: Hosted by Blind Citizens WA
Friday 9 October 6.00 – 8.00 PM
Venue: Anglesea Room (1st Floor)
Master of Ceremonies: Deanne Ferris
BCA National Women’s Branch Auction – Les Buchanan Auctioneer.
Cocktail food provided  
Cash Bar
Buddy and Dog Guide Buddy Meeting
Saturday 10 October 7.30 AM 
Venue: Beccaria Bar and Restaurant (Ground Floor)
National Women’s Branch Annual General Meeting 
Saturday 10 October 4.30 PM 
Venue:  Caroline Room (1st Floor) 
Blind Citizens Australia Annual General Meeting 
Sunday 11 October 11.00 AM 
Venue: Caroline Room (1st Floor)  
Recognition of PACC (Pre-authorised Credit Card) Contributors
Sunday 11 October 12.35 PM 
Venue: Caroline Room (1st Floor)    

Your Chance to Win!
Be part of the Blind Citizens Australia Convention Raffle for a chance to win one of two great prizes. 
1st Prize: 	Victor Reader Stream (New Generation)
The Victor Reader Stream is a handheld media player for the blind and vision impaired. 
Features: 
•	Plays DAISY books, MP3, MP4, EPUB, and many other media formats.
•	Easy access to over 36,000 web radio stations.
•	Wireless access to rich media content.
•	Records voice and media with built-in microphone or line-in.
•	Two built-in, human-sounding voices for a pleasant text-to-speech experience.
•	Built-in wireless networking capability.
•	Weighs only 110 grams.

We thank Humanware for donating this prize. 
Contact Humanware at www.humanware.com/en-australia/  or call 02 9686 2600.

2nd Prize: 	$200 Gift Voucher from Quantum Reading Learning Vision: 
This gift voucher may be used to purchase any product to the value of $200 at any Quantum Reading Learning Vision Centre including on-line at  www.quantumrlv.com.au or call 1300 883 853. 

Tickets: 	Available throughout Convention: 
$2.00 each or 3 for $5.00  
Raffle Draw:	1.25 PM Sunday (at conclusion of Lunch) 

Day 1: Saturday 10 October 2015

8.00 – 8.50	Registration

Venue:  Conference Foyer (1st Floor) 
Please be seated by 8.50
Convention MC: Ryan Honschooten

SESSION ONE: Convention Opening: 
Chair: Greg Madson, BCA President 
8.50 – 9.00	Announcements and House Keeping 
9.00 – 9.10	Official Opening	
9.10 – 9.20 	Message of Congratulations from New Zealand
Clive Lansink, President Blind Citizens New Zealand 
Blind Citizens NZ is also celebrating, with its 70th Anniversary this month.  Clive is their National President and Treasurer of the local Auckland Branch.  
9.20 – 9.30	Message from Ron Hooton, CEO Vision   Australia     
9.30 – 10.00 	Keynote Address: Blind Citizens Australia at 40 - Where we are and how we got here!
Bill Jolley - Former BCA President and Executive Officer
This presentation traces the 40-year history of BCA from its founding in Melbourne, by a small group of activists, to its current profile as Australia’s national association of people who are blind or vision impaired. 
The presentation will identify four phases of BCA’s development, concentrating on its formative and consolidation phases through to the year 2000. It will highlight some key developments centring on access to information and the built environment and review some strategic partnerships that extended BCA’s influence in pursuing its policy objectives. The history of BCA’s international involvements, together with its relationships with governments and blindness agencies, will also be reviewed.
Bill Jolley was BCA's first Secretary in 1975. Later he served as the organisation's President and then Executive Officer.  Bill is currently a member of BCA's Finance and Audit Committee, and a member of the Board of Vision Australia, as well as the outgoing Treasurer of the International Council on English Braille.
10.00 – 10.10 Roll Call  
10.10 – 10.40  Morning Tea
Venue: Caroline Room (1st Floor) 

SESSION TWO: Looking Back - Then Looking Forward   
10.40 – 11.40 Panel Discussion: Celebrating 40 Years of Blind Citizens Australia
Panel members will discuss the 40 year history of BCA.
Chair: Bill Jolley
Panel Members:  
•	John Simpson, has enjoyed more than 45 years involvement as an advocate and leader among people who are blind or have low vision.  He served as BCA’s Executive Officer from 1986 to 1994 and since has led several major projects for the organisation.  John completed several terms as a Director from 1997 to the mid-2000s. He re-joined the Board earlier this year.
•	Robyn Gaile, served as Executive Officer of BCA from 2007 to 2012. She currently manages the Disability Advocacy Resource Unit which operates out of the Victorian Council of Social Service.  Robyn became a BCA member in 1993.  
•	Emma Bennison, is incoming President of BCA.  Having been a member of BCA for over 20 years and a Director since 2012, Emma has both benefited from and contributed to the work of the organisation at local and national levels.  Emma's broader disability experience includes her current role as CEO of Arts Access Australia, the national peak body for arts and disability. Emma is also a singer, song-writer and mother of two.

Those listening via the Internet are invited to submit short questions by text message to 0407 308 706. 
11.40 – 12.25  Bionic Vision: Is it right for you? 
Dr Collette Mann, Monash Vision Group, Monash University  
Chair, Emma Bennison   
This presentation will focus on two key questions: "Will the bionic eye suit the recipient?" and "What are the processes that the person will need to go through for implantation?"  The technology behind the device will be briefly explained.
Dr Collette Mann is a Research Fellow and Clinical Program Coordinator with Monash Vision Group.
12.25 – 12.30 Housekeeping Announcements
12.30 – 1.30 	 Lunch  

SESSION THREE: Looking Forward  
1.30 – 2.00	The Next Generation of Attitudes: Exploring Disability through the eyes of children in Papua New Guinea 
Dr Kevin Murphitt PhD 
Chair: Leah van Poppel
This presentation reviews the needs and priorities of children with disability in Papua New Guinea.
Dr Kevin Murfitt is Chair of the Vision Australia Board.  Kevin holds a Doctor of Philosophy from Deakin University.  He now lectures at Deakin, where he was previously a Disability Liaison Officer.  Kevin also coordinates the Willing and Able Mentoring Program.
2.00 – 2.30   The New Changes to the National Broadband Network 
Wayne Hawkins, Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN)
Chair: Grace King
The National Broadband Network (NBN); what different options are available and what do people need to do? 
Wayne Hawkins is the Disability Policy Advisor at ACCAN and a former National Policy Officer with BCA.
2.30 – 3.00   Media Accessibility Issues - How we’re going and new frontiers 
Dr Scott Hollier, Media Access Australia 
Chair: Barry Chapman
In recent years there have been significant improvements in the evolution of accessibility across a range of media.  Most computing and mobile devices now have accessibility features built-in; the availability of audio description is increasing; and the accessibility of websites is improving.  Yet, people who are blind or vision impaired continue to face challenges in these areas.  Dr Scott Hollier will share some exciting developments in the area of mainstream technology and talk about where we can focus our efforts to ensure that the new technology frontiers are accessible.
Dr Hollier completed his PhD "The Disability Divide: A Study into the Impact of Computing and Internet-related Technologies on People who are Blind or Vision Impaired".  Scott is an author of several Media Access Australia disability resources and guidelines and represents Media Access Australia on the Advisory Committee of the World Wide Web Consortium - the organisation responsible for developing international standards for the web. 

3.00 – 3.30 	Afternoon Tea 

SESSION FOUR: Looking Back 
3.30 – 4.30	The Changing Place of Women Who Are Blind or Vision Impaired in Australian Society
This year’s National Women's Branch Workshop features three guest speakers.  These women talk about their lives and how they have dealt with prevailing attitudes towards blindness and vision impairment.  They will touch on education; socialising; training and work; motherhood; travel; living in an ethnic environment when English is not the first language; and more - you might be pleasantly surprised at how far our country has come in making our lives just that much easier and more inclusive.  
Chair: Joyce Jones 
Panel Members: 
•	Jenny Dawson, is a former President of the BCA National Women's Special Interest Branch and recipient of the 2013 BCA Aspirations Award.
•	Christine Simpson, was the recipient of the BCA Aspirations Award in 2009.  She is Chair of the Australian Braille Authority and has led Australia's delegation to the General Assembly of the International Council on English Braille.  She manages "Information Alternatives" Australia's leading commercial producer of braille and other alternative format materials.
•	Zel Iscel, is Disability and Diversity Consultant with Inclusive World and the former Presenter and Producer of "EthnicAbility" on 6EBA FM a radio program about disability.
4.30 – 5.30    BCA National Women's Special Interest Branch Annual General Meeting
Chair and Branch President: Karen Passmore
Please refer to Agenda Attached. 
END OF DAY ONE 
7.00 – 7.30   Pre Dinner Drinks
Venue:  Mercure Perth Lobby Bar (Ground Floor) 
Cash Bar 
7.30 – 11.00	Convention Dinner
Venue: Anglesea Room (1st Floor)  
Master of Ceremonies: Barry Chapman
•	Roll Call
•	Presentation of the 2015 David Blyth Award
•	Presentation of the 2015 BCA Certificate of Appreciation
•	Announcement of the National Women’s Branch 2015 Diana Braun Aspirations Award

Blind Citizens Australia is celebrating its 40th  Anniversary. The Convention Dinner theme is "Ruby" and attendees are encouraged to wear shades of Red to mark the occasion.

Cash Bar: Drinks will be available at your own expense throughout the evening.  

Day 2: Sunday 11 October 2015
Please be seated by 8.45

8.45 – 9.00 	Housekeeping Announcements and Roll Call

SESSION FIVE: Looking Toward the NDIS 
9.00 – 10.25	NDIS Participants and Providers 
An interactive discussion about the NDIS, with questions answered by the NDIA and service providers.  
Chair: Erika Webb
Panel Members: 
•	Grace King NDIS Participant; 
•	Pamela Barras NDIS My Way WA Participant; 
•	Marita Walker State Manager NDIS; 
•	Robyn Massey Executive Director, Disability Reform, Disability Services Commission; 
•	Graeme Craig Director National Disability Insurance Scheme, Vision Australia; 
•	Debra Barnes Executive Manager Operations, VisAbility; 
•	Debbie Karasinski CEO, Senses Australia.
10.25 – 10.55 Morning Tea 
Please be seated by 10.55 to ensure a prompt start to the BCA Annual General Meeting.  

11.00 - 12.10 Blind Citizens Australia 40th Annual General Meeting
Chair: Greg Madson National President 
Please refer to separate Agenda. 

SESSION SIX: Looking at Peer Support 
12.10 – 12.35  Do Peer Programs Provide Valuable Support and Information to People who have Low Vision?  
Karen Stitt and Bashir Ebrahim OAM, Guide Dogs Queensland
Chair:  Michele Griffin
This study investigated whether a structured peer support program would benefit vision impaired people.  The program was designed to provide information and support in areas such as mobility and vision conditions. Vision impaired volunteers were matched with vision impaired clients and several telephone contacts between the two parties provided support and information.
Karen Stitt is a Rehabilitation Counsellor with Guide Dogs Queensland and Bashir Ebrahim OAM is Rehabilitation Manager with Guide Dogs Queensland.
12.35 – 1.35	Lunch 
BCA’s Pre-Authorised Credit Card Program (PACC) – Looking Forward (All Welcome)

BCA Raffle Draw 

SESSION SEVEN: Concurrent Workshops - Health & Wellbeing 
1.35 – 2.05   Workshop A: Sport – The Challenges for People who are Blind or Vision Impaired  
Stephen Barnes: Blind Sports Australia
Chair: Greg Madson
Venue: Caroline Room  
A discussion about the challenges people face in order to participate in sport; and also how sport challenges people.
Stephen Barnes is Chief Executive Officer of Blind Sports Australia.  He is also Board Chair of Insight of Dreams.  Stephen has worked in public practice, consulting to businesses from start-up ventures to multi-nationals, major business turnarounds, recovery and re-structuring projects.

1.35 – 2.05   Workshop B: Advocacy - How to stay sane
Chair: Leah van Poppel
Venue:  Georgiana Room 
Advocacy is a long hard road for all of us, yet we often only talk about the practical steps it involves or the successes we have.  In this session we will talk about how we can pick our battles to best help our causes and ourselves as well as what we can do to support each other through the tough times that advocacy sometimes brings us.
Panel Members: 
•	Robyn Gaile 
•	Nihal Iscel
•	Dan Stubbs  

2:05                 Please re-assemble in the Caroline Room. 

SESSION EIGHT:  Orientation and Mobility Innovations
			Chair: Deanne Ferris  
2.10 – 2.25   Rural and Remote Orientation and Mobility,  (ROAM) Project 
Amy Barrett-Lennard, VisAbility
This Project involves real-time monitoring and delivery of Orientation and Mobility training and instruction via videoconferencing.  The service delivery involves using a smartphone (iPhone 6 Plus) attached to a Go-Pro chest harness worn by the individual.  Live video streaming to a remote Orientation and Mobility Instructor provides instruction to the individual via headphones.
Amy Barrett-Lennard is an Occupational Therapist and Orientation & Mobility Instructor at VisAbility - Guide Dogs WA.
2.25 – 2.55   Queen Street Mall Braille Trail Talking Signs  
Bashir Ebrahim OAM, Guide Dogs Queensland
Trial of a pedestrian activated audio way-finding device in Brisbane.  The Step-Hear System is a user activated audio sign that holds up to three pre-recorded messages.  When in proximity to a Step-Hear System sign a wrist activator gives audio or tactile pulses, or a combination of both.  Users then activate the audio sign by pressing the appropriate buttons on the wrist activator.

SESSION NINE: BCA Looking Forward  
Chair: Grace King
2.55 – 3.55 	Looking to a Bright Future
BCA's incoming President, Emma Bennison, and CEO, Leah van Poppel will talk about their vision for the future of our organisation.  They will take questions and comments from those present as well as from members listening to the Internet stream.  

Questions and short comments from listeners should be sent as a text message to 0407 308 706. 
3.55 – 4.00	Convention Wrap Up
Erika Web, Chair of the Convention Organising Committee, will thank those who have worked with her toward the success of this 40th Anniversary Convention. 

CONVENTION CLOSE 

2015 National Convention Planning Committee 
•	Erika Webb, Chair – BCA Director, WA
•	Stephen Belbin – BCA Director, Regional NSW
•	Barry Chapman – BCA Director, NSW
•	Lynne Davis - NSW
•	Michelle Griffin - BCWA
•	Joyce Jones – National Women's Branch, Qld
•	Nihal Iscel - BCWA
•	Grace King – NPDC, WA
•	Annabelle Waller - BCWA
•	Deanne Ferris – President BCWA 
•	Leah van Poppel – CEO BCA 
•	Samantha Marsh - BCA National Office
•	July Campbell – Volunteer Co-Ordinator

Blind Citizens Australia
National Women's Special Interest Branch
2015 Annual General Meeting
Agenda
1.	Welcome

2.	Present and Apologies

3.	Minutes of the Annual Meeting held 25th October 2014

4.	Business Arising from Previous Minutes

5.	President's Report

6.	Treasurer's Report

7.	Election of President

8.	Election of Branch Committee
Please note: Election of Committee Members is for two year terms.

9.	General Business

10.	Presentation of the 2015 Diana Braun Aspirations Award 

 Close.

Note:  The President's Report and Treasurer's Reports were circulated to members before the meeting to facilitate a prompt meeting.  There will be time however, to ask any questions you may have regarding these reports, as well as any other questions during General Business.